Fletcher community helps families in need

Sherri Redden, Fletcher Area Business Association board member, and the Rev. Matt Williamson gather snacks and other supplies for children in need Friday at Oak Forest Baptist Church in Fletcher.

Patrick Sullivan/Times-News

By Mark SchulmanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 3:07 p.m.

FLETCHER — Sherri Redden, a board member for Fletcher Area Business Association, and Pastor Matt Williamson spent some of Friday morning at Oak Forest Baptist Church organizing food for children in need.

FABA and the church have partnered over the summer to provide snack packs for qualified families of students who attend Fletcher Elementary.

During the school year, Redden works directly with the school to administer the FABA Snack Pack program. Redden, who works in marketing for First Restoration Services, said she spearheaded the endeavor in the fall of 2012.

“Some kids don’t eat during the weekend,” she said. “They need support outside of the school and home.”

FABA recognized the need and acted on it.

“It is near and dear to everyone’s heart that kids don’t go hungry,” Redden added.

The program became a successas a result of collaboration from the community, local businesses, the school, the Fletcher Police Department and now Oak Forest Baptist Church.

When the school year ended, the program was expanded to provide food over the summer.

“This shows there is a need,” Redden said. “And everyone is willing to pitch in.”

The 10-week summer program provides 11 families with items such as macaroni and cheese, juice and more, along with other necessary home supplies including toilet paper and paper towels, Williamson said.

The pastor, his wife and two young sons deliver the goods to the families’ doorsteps once a week. Williamson said Oak Forest is a small church, and it was difficult to find the means to provide the food to families.

“It is helpful, as a church, to have the folks from FABA help collect supplies to meet the needs we’ve seen,” he added.

The partnership with FABA brought in much-needed support from business leads groups and other networking events, he said.

“We are doing the best we can to get them (families) through this tough time,” Williamson said. “With Sherri helping us, it takes the financial burden off of us because of the size of our church.”

Williamson said they have gathered about $5,000 in food and supplies.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Redden at 828-684-1582 or sherri@firstrestorationwnc.com.

<p>FLETCHER — Sherri Redden, a board member for Fletcher Area Business Association, and Pastor Matt Williamson spent some of Friday morning at Oak Forest Baptist Church organizing food for children in need. </p><p>FABA and the church have partnered over the summer to provide snack packs for qualified families of students who attend Fletcher Elementary. </p><p>During the school year, Redden works directly with the school to administer the FABA Snack Pack program. Redden, who works in marketing for First Restoration Services, said she spearheaded the endeavor in the fall of 2012. </p><p>“Some kids don't eat during the weekend,” she said. “They need support outside of the school and home.”</p><p>FABA recognized the need and acted on it. </p><p>“It is near and dear to everyone's heart that kids don't go hungry,” Redden added. </p><p>The program became a successas a result of collaboration from the community, local businesses, the school, the Fletcher Police Department and now Oak Forest Baptist Church. </p><p>When the school year ended, the program was expanded to provide food over the summer. </p><p>“This shows there is a need,” Redden said. “And everyone is willing to pitch in.”</p><p>The 10-week summer program provides 11 families with items such as macaroni and cheese, juice and more, along with other necessary home supplies including toilet paper and paper towels, Williamson said.</p><p>The pastor, his wife and two young sons deliver the goods to the families' doorsteps once a week. Williamson said Oak Forest is a small church, and it was difficult to find the means to provide the food to families.</p><p>“It is helpful, as a church, to have the folks from FABA help collect supplies to meet the needs we've seen,” he added. </p><p>The partnership with FABA brought in much-needed support from business leads groups and other networking events, he said.</p><p>“We are doing the best we can to get them (families) through this tough time,” Williamson said. “With Sherri helping us, it takes the financial burden off of us because of the size of our church.”</p><p>Williamson said they have gathered about $5,000 in food and supplies.</p><p>For more information or to make a donation, contact Redden at 828-684-1582 or sherri@firstrestorationwnc.com.</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>